For all interested in the Catholic faith:
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for adults who desire to join the Catholic faith and for those seeking more information on the Catholic Church. OCIA can also be a method for Catholics to complete their reception of the initiation sacraments. The manual used in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults states that the rite is designed for adults “who after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God.” The manual also states when speaking about those in the process “By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time receive the sacraments fruitfully.”
The Cathedral offers OCIA classes for those who hear the “mystery of Christ’ and “seek the living God.” The overall goal of the class offered by the Cathedral is to provide participants with a substantial introduction into the teachings, traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Our OCIA will help to inspire the OCIA participants into living an active and faithful Catholic life. The Cathedral offers weekly classes that explain Catholic doctrine and faith while also addressing other Catholic topics that are current or important to those interested in the Catholic Church. Our OCIA classes are designed to help each participant encounter Jesus through their study, reflection, and discussion of the Catholic Church.
The OCIA at the Cathedral is a year-round process and new classes have just started. This is the perfect time to join for it is never too early or too late to inquire about the Catholic faith. The class meets every Sunday morning by first attending the 8:00 am Mass as a group for the breaking open of the Word. This is followed by a weekly subject with final dismissal at 10:45 am. We break open the Word in St. Michael the Archangel Chapel and have our weekly class in the parish library. We at the Cathedral are ready to reach out to anyone interested in exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic and to welcome those who wish to become part of our faith community. There is never any pressure or obligation to actually become Catholic.
Please contact Sarah Romanski at either (318) 221-5296 ext.118 or sromanski@sjbcathedral.org to set up an introductory meeting. This meeting will provide you with more specific information pertaining to the OCIA process.
To search, to belong, to mature, to be nourished, to continue growing, to love and be loved: these and others are fundamental stirrings of the human heart. Our lives are lived in a manner of seeking satisfaction of these very deep hungers throughout the journey of life. OCIA is the experience of discovering that one’s journey is caught up in the mystery of God’s loving plan for all people.
For adults who sense a desire to become members or learn more of the Catholic Church, OCIA is the prayerful manner in which the journey to Catholic Christianity unfolds. Ordinarily, the journey follows the Church’s Liturgical Year and culminates in the Celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection at the Easter Vigil.
Though OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) has been mistakenly identified as ‘convert classes’ it is the procedure for unbaptized adults and adults of other Christian Churches to become members of the Catholic Church, OCIA deeply touches all aspects of Church life. In short, OCIA is the way we are Church. OCIA is a prayer of the Church that springs from God the Father’s relentless and passionate desire that all respond to the offer of Divine Love in His Son, Jesus the Christ, and manifest that love in the power of the Holy Spirit as members of the Body of Christ to the world.
You may be wondering, who can be part of the OCIA?
OCIA is for the following persons:
This would include:
We enthusiastically welcome you to join us on this spiritual journey. We ask you to fill out the form below and someone from the office will call you to schedule a brief interview. This is not something that obligates you in any way whatsoever. It is intended to help us to better minister to you.
Saturday: 4:00 pm Adoration: 10:00 am ~ 2:00 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am, 11:00 am, 5:30 pm
Weekdays: Monday ~ Friday: 12:10 pm
Adoration: Friday: 11:00 am
Benediction: Friday : 11:45 am
Tues, Wed, Thur: 11:30 am ~ 12:00 pm Saturday: 2:30 ~ 3:45 pm
By Appointment